Minnesota State University Moorhead History 360: American Revolution Era Course Syllabus Autumn 2010 Instructor: Dr. Sean Taylor Meeting Time and Place: MW 1:30-2:45pm, Ma 373 Office: Ma 374G Phone: 477-2814 e-mail: sean.taylor@mnstate.edu Office Hours: MW 8:45-9:30, 11:30-12:30, 2:45-4:00, F 8:45-9:30, 11:30-12:30, and by appointment Web Address: www.mnstate.edu/taylorse Course Goals: The goal of this course is to answer what seems to be a straightforward question: how radical was the American Revolution? Historian Gordon Wood wrote The Radicalism of the American Revolution in 1991 where he posits the Revolution was, well, radical. We will spend the semester analyzing this idea and come to our own conclusions based on readings and class discussion. To do this, students enrolled in this course will learn how to read and analyze primary and secondary material and then communicate that material to a larger audience, the classroom. Developing critical thinking skills and learning to communicate your findings to a larger audience will serve you well in every profession—not simply in college. Additionally, students taking this course will acquire a much greater understanding of the American Revolution and the founding of this country by exposing them to the political, ideological and economic realities of late 18th century America. By exploring topics including the impact of the political changes in the empire that ensue from Britain’s victory in the French and Indian War, rebellion from the bottom up and the top down, and finishing with the controversies surrounding the establishment of the new Federal government we will be able to talk in a meaningful way about the radicalness of the Revolution. Course Requirements: Electronics We live in an age where it seems we are all connected electronically. While this is a valuable tool, I am asking you to turn off all electronic devices for the class period. We are here to talk about the past and to listen to each other as we discuss our understanding of the past and texting or phones ringing disrupt the discussion. If you are unwilling to do this you need to drop this course. If you need to have the phone on for a day (sick kids, IRS is looking for you), just let me know and set your phone to silent. Honestly, studies have shown it is completely harmless to be disconnected from the world for a whole class period, you will survive. Readings The readings for this course can be found on the course website ( www.mnstate.edu/taylorse )--click on “courses I teach). They consist of a combination of the purchased monographs listed below and web readings. 1) The Unknown American Revolution: The Unruly Birth of Democracy and the Struggle to Create America, Gary B. Nash (ISBN-13: 9780143037200) 2) The Radicalism of the American Revolution, Gordon S. Wood. 3) Liberty Tree: Ordinary People and the American Revolution, Alfred F. Young ISBN 0814796869. 4) Unruly American and the Origins of the Constitution. Woody Holton. 5) PATRIOTS, LOYALISTS, AND REVOLUTION IN NEW YORK CITY, 1775-76: PEARSON | ISBN-10: 0205785794 | ISBN-13: 9780205785797, “Reacting to the Past Series.” Academic Expectations (Read Carefully) Requirements There will be two short, 3-4 pages each, papers requiring you to recognize and analyze excerpts from primary-source readings. This happens as a part of the Reacting to the Past game we will play (20% of course grade), a primary source exercise where you interpret a newspaper article (15% of your course grade), a 3-4 page essay asking you to consider critically a secondary-source reading (15% of course grade), and a take-home final exam in which you must use both primary and secondary sources to answer the question “How Radical was the American Revolution?” (25% of course grade). Class participation is a crucial part of this course (25% of course grade). To help you become comfortable with in-class discussion, you will write at least four weekly reaction papers to course readings which will be graded on a pass/fail basis. You must hand in your papers to the History office by 11:00 am on the day you signed up for class discussion). More on this later, but I don’t want you to simply summarize the readings in these one-page papers. Instead, view them as exercises in critical thinking and an opportunity for you to digest and synthesize course material -- to formulate questions, suggest alternative interpretations, and shape our discussions. Although students must write four reaction papers to satisfy (pass) this requirement, additional papers are welcome and will count toward participation. A further note on Discussion and Participation: I firmly believe the only way you can understand the past is by “rolling up your sleeves and dive right in” and read and think about the material presented in class. Consequently, the only way this course works is if you do your part and come to class having read and thought about this material. It is not enough to skim it just before class—you must read it and try to understand why it was written. As noted above, a substantial portion of your grade in this class is based on your in-class performance. Participation is evaluated as follows: A= Well-prepared; brings, refers to, and questions assigned texts; displays critical thinking; respects others and does not dominate; listens attentively. B= Prepared; brings, refers to, and occasionally questions assigned texts; comments further discussion; listens attentively. C= Usually prepared; brings but rarely refers to or questions assigned texts; rarely speaks, sometimes inattentive and sometimes engages in private conversations and interrupts others. D= Often unprepared; often does not bring or is unfamiliar with assigned texts; has private conversations with others and is otherwise inattentive in class. F= Unprepared; indifferent to issues being discussed and very inattentive. Attendance and participation are essential and expected for a good grade in this class. I will send an attendance sheet around each day for you to sign. This will not directly affect your participation grade, but does provide me with a record of your attendance should any question arise regarding your participation grade. LATE WORK raises the issue of fairness for students who complete all assignments on schedule. Therefore students will not be permitted to MAKE-UP examinations, assignments and papers without a legitimate reason and discussion with the professor PRIOR to the scheduled examination or assignments. In accordance with university policy, students who miss class because of a university-sponsored activity will be permitted to submit assignments after the due date, without penalty. NOTE: Technical problems with personal computers or other electronic equipment or media will not automatically be accepted as a legitimate reason for lateness. Unexcused LATE PAPERS will be penalized one letter grade per day they are late. Failure to complete major assignments and papers will result in an F course grade. Academic Integrity: Don’t cheat as I will use every means at my disposal to punish academic dishonesty. Note that plagiarism is often the area students run into problems. The standard definition of plagiarism is copying four or more words in a row without quote marks. A consistent pattern of "paraphrasing" by changing only one or two words also constitutes plagiarism. See page 127 of the student handbook for more information. Grading: Numerical grade levels are as follows: A (93-100), A- (90-92), B+ (87-89), B (83-86), B- (80-82), C+ (77-79), C (73-76), C- (70-72), D+ (67-69), D (63-66), D- (60-62) F (below 60). A=Outstanding competence B=Above satisfactory competence C=Satisfactory level of competence D=Marginally satisfactory level of competence F=Unsatisfactory level of competence Please note that a C is considered satisfactory at MSUM. I do not believe in grade inflation and will use the entire grade scale when calculating your final grade. If you work hard you will do well. Note also that A’s are given for work considered outstanding. Simply fulfilling the course requirements will not guarantee an A in this class. You must clearly exhibit outstanding competence to receive an A in the course. A note from disability services: “Students with disabilities who believe they may need an accommodation in this class are encouraged to contact Greg Toutges, Director of Disability Services at 477-2131 (Voice) or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY), CMU 114 as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.”